'Not shackled to our past': Anthony Albanese shares subtle message about Australia's relationship with US in keynote speech

Anthony Albanese seemingly made a subtle attempt to distance Australia's reliance on the United States during a keynote speech made in Sydney overnight.

The prime minister was predicted to "ruffle feathers" in Washington ahead of his address where he dusted off the playbook used by wartime Labor PM John Curtin, who died in office 80 years ago.

Albanese used his speech to lionise Curtin and his legacy forming an alliance with the US, before emphasising that Australia is in control of its own future.

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"Curtin's famous statement that Australia 'looked to America' was much more than the idea of trading one strategic guarantor for another," Albanese said.

"Or swapping an alliance with the old world for one with the new.

"It was a recognition that Australia's fate would be decided in our region."

Albanese said Curtin ensured that Australians "spoke for ourselves, as a sovereign nation".

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He also praised the former PM for championing Australia's interests on the global stage while also maintaining our independence.

"So we remember Curtin not just because he looked to America. We honour him because he spoke for Australia," he added.

"For Australia and for Labor, that independence has never meant isolationism. Choosing our own way, doesn't mean going it alone."

The PM reminded listeners that Australia was not "shackled" by its history.

Instead, he said the nation should learn from and build on its political past.

He ended by echoing Curtin's policy of independently deciding how Australia deals with overseas threats and global issues.

"We can choose the way we engage with our region and deal with the world," the PM said.

"The stability and prosperity we build and defend with our partners, the peace and security we seek for ourselves."

Australia has seen eight decades of an enduring US friendship and strategic partnership.

However experts believe yesterday's speech could be a bold move from the PM to change how that partnership plays out.

"Undoubtedly, Albanese is sending a message to Washington and the Trump administration that Australia is ultimately in control of its own destiny," Professor James Curran of University of Sydney told 9News.

Several months after Donald Trump's inauguration, Anthony Albanese is yet to book a face-to-face with the president.

"I don't believe Mr Albanese has done all he can here to strengthen Australia's position in relation to the United States," Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser said.

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Curtin re-wrote Australia's foreign policy playbook and is honoured as the founding father of Australia's alliance with the US.

"Here we are talking about the opportunity to run a more independent course from Washington," Curran added.

"I'd say this will ruffle feathers of Uncle Sam."

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